Membrane structure is a category used in the field of construction engineering. It is composed of the modeling design, mechanical analysis, cutting design, production and installation of membrane products, and the production and installation of supporting structures or components. It is a collection of architecture, Engineering structure, materials science and other disciplines are integrated multi-disciplinary cross-application engineering.

 
Features of membrane structure engineering:
The characteristics of membrane structure engineering as a building system mainly depend on its unique shape and the performance of the membrane itself. Precisely because of this, the use of membrane structure can create design schemes that cannot be achieved by traditional building systems.
1. Light weight: The reason for the low weight of the membrane material's tensile structure is that it relies on the prestressed form rather than the material to maintain the stability of the structure. As a result, its own weight is much smaller than that of traditional building structures, but it has good stability. Architects can use its light-weight and large-span characteristics to design and organize detailed structural components to organically unify its light and stable structural characteristics.
 
2. Light transmittance: Light transmittance is one of the most widely recognized characteristics of modern membrane structures. The light transmittance of the film can provide the required brightness for the building, which is very important for building energy saving. It is especially important for commercial buildings that require a lot of light and high brightness. Through the comprehensive utilization of natural and artificial lighting, the light transmittance of the membrane material can provide a larger space for aesthetic creation for architectural design. At night, the light transmittance turns the membrane structure into a sculpture of light.
The light transmittance of the film is determined by its base fiber, coating and its color. The spectral transmittance of standard membrane materials is between 10% and 20%, some membrane materials can reach 40% spectral transmittance, and some membrane materials are opaque. The light transmittance of the film and the choice of light color can be adjusted by the color of the coating or the color of the surface layer.
Through the proper combination of the film material and the light-transmitting heat-insulating material, the multilayer film containing the heat-insulating layer can be made light-transmitting. Even if the spectral transmission is only a few percent, the membrane roof is still bright and transparent to the naked eye, with the look and feel of a light roof.
 
3. Flexibility: The tensile membrane structure is not rigid, and it will deform under the action of wind load or snow load. The membrane structure adapts to the external load through deformation. During this process, the radius of curvature of the membrane surface in the direction of the load will decrease until it can resist the load more effectively.
The flexibility of the membrane structure allows it to be carried in the most favorable form under any load. Of course, the layout and shape of the structure should be designed and adjusted according to the load. The design should ensure that the membrane surface and its auxiliary structure work in coordination to avoid the concentration of force on the membrane surface or auxiliary structure and reaching the critical value of structural damage.
The flexibility of the tension structure allows it to produce a large displacement without permanent deformation. The elastic properties and prestress level of the membrane material determine the deformation and response of the membrane structure. The flexibility to adapt to nature can inspire people's architectural design inspiration.
Different membrane materials have different flexibility procedures. Some membrane materials are extremely flexible and will not be brittle or damaged due to folding. Such materials are the basis and prerequisite for effective realization of movable and expandable structures.
 
4. Sculpture: The unique curved shape of the tensioned membrane structure gives it a strong sense of sculpture. The membrane surface achieves self-balance through tension. The balance of the ups and downs of the negative Gaussian membrane makes the larger structure look like a light sculpture free from the shackles of gravity, which is exciting and floating between the sky and the earth. This sculptural texture is exciting both indoors and outdoors.
The tensioned membrane structure allows architects to design various self-balanced, complex and vivid spatial forms. As the light changes throughout the day, the sculptural membrane structure takes on different forms through light and shadow. At sunrise and sunset, the low incident angle of light will highlight the curvature and relief effect of the roof. When the sun is at apogee, the streamlined boundary of the membrane structure casts a curved shadow on the ground. Using the light transmittance and reflectivity of the membrane material, the designed artificial light can also make the membrane structure a light sculpture.
 
5. Safety: The lightweight tensile membrane structure designed in accordance with the existing national regulations and guidelines has sufficient safety. The light structure can maintain good stability under horizontal loads such as earthquakes.
Due to the light weight of the lightweight structure, even if an accidental collapse occurs, its risk is less than that of a traditional building structure. When the membrane structure is torn, if the structural arrangement can ensure that rigid supporting members such as masts, beams and columns do not collapse, the risk will be smaller.
 
6. Function: Due to the inherent characteristics of the tensile membrane structure, it can meet many different architectural functional requirements from simple shading structures to large-scale buildings with complex functions. The form is extremely expressive and only it is the most important for some functional requirements. suitable.
 
7. Highly expressive architectural form: buildings with specific functions can be expressed through conception. The unique shape of the tensile membrane structure reflects the natural beauty of the building itself.
These architectural forms themselves and the traditional buildings that are in harmony with them constitute an interesting landmark on the ground. The excellent membrane structure design is an organic fusion of structure and shape, making it stand out, and at the same time organically integrated with the natural environment, history and modern urban landscape.
The light structure can be regarded as a large-scale sculpture, which can add vitality to the surrounding space and become the supplement and focus of the surrounding environment.
 
8. Resist the influence of weather: An important function of membrane roof is to resist the influence of various weather changes (such as the sun, rain, wind and snow, etc.) on its internal space and maintain the comfort of the building. When choosing the form and material of the membrane surface, all possible weather conditions should be considered, and passive methods such as the building itself should be used as much as possible to reduce energy consumption.
The porous membrane material can be used as a shielding structure. It can control the transmission and reflection of light, make the room have scattered light, and promote natural ventilation, make the roof temperature the same as the temperature of the surrounding environment, and avoid downward heat radiation.
In order to withstand wind and snow, the shape of the membrane surface should make drainage smooth and quick, and avoid the formation of water pockets or snow accumulation on it. In the installation and forming stage before prestressing, the tensile membrane structure is very sensitive to these loads. In order to drain the rainwater, the membrane material and joints must be sealed and waterproof, and the edge of the membrane must also be specially designed in detail to prevent rainwater from entering the room.
 
9. Mobility and Temporary: Another outstanding advantage compared with other structures is that the light-weight structure has adjustable impact on the environment. In addition, it has two important characteristics, namely mobility and flexibility.
The structure can be repeatedly dismantled and constructed in different locations, which is the mobility of the tensioned membrane structure. It combines nomadic and settled architecture. The softness of the membrane makes it easy to transport, easy to build quickly, and takes up very little space when not in use. This feature makes the membrane structure very suitable for use as a temporary mobile building, especially when a sudden disaster or emergency situation needs to provide shelter for a large number of people in a short time.
On the other hand, the movable membrane structure not only has the comfort comparable to that of permanent buildings, it also introduces a new concept in the construction industry, which is to separate the ownership of houses from the ownership of land. The building is no longer immovable, but movable. This kind of mobility and reusability is of great significance for accelerating the development of modern cities and the transformation of architectural functions in some special fields.
 
10. Expandability and adaptability: The expandable structure can be regarded as an artificial self-adaptive system. Like many natural organisms, it can change its form as needed. Their spatial arrangement and response to weather changes are flexible and adaptive. Active energy saving can be achieved by controlling natural light and internal temperature charging. The expandable structure can be open or closed, and its flexibility allows it to change the properties of the space. The elegant sliding of the carefully designed deployable roof embodies the harmony between man and nature. It is called a kind of creation, and the full combination of light weight and malleability has formed the concept of "no construction house". This structure can be realized at any time or place required.